A miracle I survived: Swimmer reunites with RNLI lifeguard who saved her life

Joanna and her friend Philippa found themselves out of their depth and in choppy water. Philippa was able to get back to the beach but Joanna was dragged out to sea by the rip current.

The incident occurred before 10am so Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) lifeguards hadn’t started their patrols, Philippa called 999 and asked for the Coastguard which launched the charity’s lifeboats from Little and Broad Haven and St Davids.

RNLI lifeguard Matty McLeod was at home preparing for his patrols on the beach that day when he became aware of the situation. He immediately left home and headed to the beach, once there he grabbed his rescue board and made his way through the surf and swell to find Joanna.

‘She was face down in the water, recalls Matty. ‘I jumped off the board and rolled her over. She was blue and unresponsive. I had to keep her airway open.

The conditions at this point were too dangerous for RNLI lifeboat to pick them up so Matty dragged Joanna through the water to the shore, when the battle to bring her back to life began.

Matty said: ‘An on-call nurse on the beach helped me giving Joanna CPR. I was shattered from bringing her in and was trying to catch my breath, so this was a massive help. Then the paramedics arrived and took over from us.’

Joining the effort of the RNLI lifeguard team were Coastguard rescue teams, a Cymru High Acuity Response Unit, the Wales Air Ambulance and a rescue helicopter from the Coast Guard. The Wales Air Ambulance took over Joanna's care and delivered pre-hospital interventions on the beach, which included taking over her breathing through administering an anaesthetic and placing her on a ventilator.

Matty held Joanna's hand whilst the medics stabilised and transferred her into the air ambulance, he remembers thinking. 'We’ve done all we can. But it didn’t look good.

Joanna was cared for by the medical team at Carmarthen and Glangwili Hospital. She spent 10 days in an induced coma until regaining consciousness, over the following months at a rehabilitation centre she went onto make a full recovery

Joanna said:

‘The hospital told me it was miracle that I survived – that I should have died. But I woke up. If it was not for the quick reactions and incredible skill and professionalism of the RNLI lifeguards and lifeboat crews, I would not be here today.’

RNLI lifeguards are highly trained to be able to deliver first aid and water rescue when someone is in need. However, RNLI lifeguards are not on every beach and their patrols are between 10am-6pm so they cannot be everywhere, all the time.

Chris Cousens, RNLI Water Safety Lead for Wales, said:

'As a charity we are here to save lives at sea, Matty's actions on Newgale beach did exactly that. He showed the skills he has learnt as a lifeguard to rescue Joanna and save her life.

'However, RNLI lifeguards can't be everywhere, all of the time. As we approach the peak summer season, we are reminding the public to follow our safety advice, so they can enjoy their visit to the coast'.

The charity’s advice for anyone visiting the coast this summer is to:

· Visit a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags

· If you fall into the water unexpectedly or find yourself in difficulty FLOAT TO LIVE.

· Find out how here: Float To Live – What To Do In An Emergency – RNLI

· If you see someone in trouble in the water, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

ENDS

Notes to editor:

• Interviews with Joanna and Matty are available to view and download along with photos from their reunion at Newgale beach from this link: RNLI Media Library

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.

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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

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